RHS College Prep Biology

2019 - 2020 Syllabus, Expectation sheet, and Signature Form

Teacher: Mrs. Cartwright Class Room Phone: 781-961-6220 ext. 239
Email Addresses: CartwrightK@randolph.k12.ma.us or KarenResendes@gmail.com
Class Website: http://mrscartwrightrhs.weebly.com Remind Code: @9k93bf
Google Classroom Codes: Block 1: 33egnl Block 3: nw4ul16 Block 5: 8gfn9j

Online Textbook: Web Address: pearsonrealize.com, username: FirstLastnameRHS, password: student1.

Click “Sign In” then Click “classes” and on the right hand side you will see the textbook.
Miller and Levine. Biology. Boston, MA: Pearson: Biology 2010 and Miller and Levine. Biology. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall: Biology 2014.

Course Description: College Prep Biology is a life science course designed to investigate concepts developing
analytical and reasoning skills. Students will conduct laboratory investigations to support the class discussions. Topics
to be covered include molecular biology, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, microbiology, and human
body structure and function. Students will take the Biology MCAS June 2 nd and 3rd 2020.

Safety Language:
Students will utilize safety language: Try it out, it’s OK to respectfully disagree, we don’t do that here – no disrespect,
take responsibility – own your actions, Own your words – Speak for yourself only, and be kind.

Curriculum Communication: Important for homework assignments, due dates, and quiz/test study date reminders.
School Email Communication – Send me an email request at cartwrightk@randolph.k12.ma.us and/or clearly print the
sign up information on the signature page of this document
Remind app via email - Send an email to dd76df8@mail.remind.com (the subject and email can be blank)
Remind app via text – Send a text msg to number 81010 with this message: @
Block 1: 33egnl Block 3: nw4ul16 Block 5: 8gfn9j

Daily Required Materials (Due by September 9th): 1. a 2 inch Binder 2. Composition notebook 3. 6 Dividers

Quizzes: Oral or written quizzes will be given. These will be worth 20% of the student’s grade. These will be
administered to verify that the students have a grasp on the concepts presented in each standard. In addition to
actual quizzes one activator each week and any substitute work will count as a quiz grade. Missed quizzes will only be
made up with a school approved excuse note. Most quizzes will be made up of open response MCAS questions.

Tests, Lab Reports, Projects, and Papers: These activities will count for 30% of the students’ grade. Exams will be
given to determine student preparedness for the MCAS. Projects will be assigned in group or individual form for
students to work hands on with other students for a unique learning experience. Any late tests, labs, projects papers,
and binders will receive a deduction of 50% from the grade earned and will not be accepted two days overdue.
Binder checks will be done at the end of each term for a total of four binder checks in the school year. Each binder
check is graded with a rubric and counts as a project grade because the binder is a valuable resource learning tool for
success in class and on the Biology MCAS Exam. Each section should be labeled as follows: MCAS, Reference, Term 1,
Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4. Students should keep this in the reference section of their binder.

Classroom Effort and Participation: At the start, during, and concluding each class period there will be assignments to
be completed. This work and any daily activities (including note taking, worksheets, and filing assignments into
binders) will constitute 40% of the class grade. Any worksheets missed due to absence will be available in the absent
and missing classwork bin. Any missing assignments are the responsibility of the student. Students will be reminded
to stay after school to check in about work missed during an absence.
Late Work Policy: For minor class assignments such as classwork and homework, the following policy will be in place:
Ø Term 1: Assignment will be accepted up to 2 weeks late and receive a maximum of 60%.
Ø Term 2: Assignment will be accepted up to 1 week late and receive a maximum of 60%.
Ø Term 3: Assignments will be accepted up to 2 days late and receive a maximum of 60%.
Ø Term 4: Assignments will NOT be accepted late for credit.
*NOTE: These late work policies apply for unexcused absences (those without proper documentation).
Students have the opportunity to complete the major assignment for partial credit for up to 2 weeks. If you are
absent, I expect you to take the initiative to come before or after school to make special arrangements with me, which
includes agreeing on a due date for the missed assignments. If possible, you can always email me while you are out of
school to get the assignments as well.

Homework: Any homework given should be completed fully for the date it is due. A zero tolerance policy is in effect
because homework is only useful for reinforcement when the topic is being covered. The student will receive zero
credit if the homework assignment is not turned in at the very beginning of class. If the student decides to complete
the homework assignment with a team teacher after school they will be able to receive partial credit for that
assignment. Homework will count as 10% of the class grade. Homework option sheets will be assigned each unit.

Extra Credit: Any homework assignments passed in early will receive extra credit for each day it is early. Homework
assignments will all receive extra credit for being on time (unless the assignment is incomplete). This system provides
that if each student hands in ten homework assignments on time, then they have received the equivalent of a free
homework pass. Any additional homework options completed by the student outside of what is required will be
graded as extra credit. Anytime a student brings in a unique cited article corresponding to the topic of study to share
with the class they will receive extra credit for that week's effort and participation. Also anytime a student contributes
classroom supplies (ex: tissues, markers, crayons, cleaning wipes, etc.) they will receive an extra homework grade with
a max of 2 per term.

Extra Help: I am more than happy to stay after school on Mondays and Wednesdays. All are encouraged to come
after for any questions before the material becomes too overwhelming to catch up on. I am also willing to make
accommodations or appointments on other dates. Remember there is a class web site for a resource as well as my
email address. I am almost always available for questions, comments, or suggestions.

General Classroom Rules:

 Come to class on time and take out your binder, composition notebook, and begin the activator as soon as you enter
 Keep your bags, coats, and any other non-education related items off of the desks
 Lab tables require extra caution and all horseplay will be written up as an automatic second level disciplinary
infraction
 All school rules apply in the classroom as well.
 The more effort put into this class the more positively it will impact your grade.

Teacher Expectations: Students in class will develop teacher expectations. These will be posted in the classroom.

Student Expectations: Students are expected to be: prepared for work, have a high level of independence, show
quality work ethic, attend class daily, actively participate, and take responsibility for learning. Teachers are expected to
develop student independence.
Students should start each class by:
1. Taking out his or her composition notebook, homework, books, binders, paper, pencils/pens
2. Then begin the “activator” assignment posted by the bell or sooner
3. Redirect a neighbor or help a group member focus on the task
Students should end each class by:
1. Clean up his or her materials or return the materials they borrowed
2. Make note of packing homework and turning in assignments before the bell rings
3. Push in chairs and clean up the desk tops (put up the chairs if it is the last class of the day on ½ days)
Please neatly print below in dark ink or pencil, have the portion below filled out, signed, and in the front of your
binder to be checked on Monday September 9th, 2019. Thank you and I am looking forward to learning about you
this upcoming year. I have read and understand the course expectations for College Prep Biology.

Student Information:

Student’s Full Name Printed: _____________________________________________________

Student’s Signature:________________________________________________________

Student’s Email address: _____________________________________________________

Please check the following box to be added to the Biology Curriculum Update emails: 

Parent/Guardian Information:

Parent/Guardian’s phone number: ____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s email contact: ______________________________________________________

Best time to contact home: ___________________________________________________AM/PM (Circle one)

Best method of contact: Email  Phone Call  Text Message Other: ________________

Please check the following box to be added to the Biology Curriculum Update emails: 

Please check the following box if you are interested in volunteering to help in the classroom and are willing to be

CORI checked at the human resource office: 

Parent/Guardian’s Name Printed:____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature:_______________________________________________________

If there is another parent who would like to complete this form with different contact information please have the
student complete the back of this form for the second parent’s contact information.